Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty made several corporate changes. A Chubb veteran is joining CNA in a key executive role for commercial underwriting. GEICO promoted an up-and-coming executive. Nationwide has a new investment executive.

***

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE has made several executive changes.

Paul O’Neill will become AGCS’s latest chief underwriting officer of Specialty, as of Oct. 1, pending regulatory approval. He’ll be based in London and oversee AGCS’s business in the energy, marine, aviation and entertainment areas.

O’Neill will succeed Bill Scaldaferri, who is taking over AGCS Board responsibility for North America from Art Moossmann on July 1. While doing this, Scaldaferri is giving up his board responsibility for Allianz Risk Transfer to Hartmut Mai, who is chief underwriting officer, Corporate for AGCS.

Simon Buxton, currently AGCS global head of Reinsurance, will succeed O’Neill as global head of Marine and Energy as of Oct. 1. He’ll be based in London. AGCS is looking for his successor.

***

Chubb veteran Barbara Sandelands joined CNA as its new senior vice president, Commercial Underwriting Services.

Sandelands’ job in this newly created position will be to drive the strategic direction and general management of underwriting services. She’ll report to Julie Stephenson, Commercial Insurance chief underwriting officer.

At Chubb, Sandelands served in a number of leadership and executive roles over a 32-year tenure. Most recently, she was Chubb’s senior vice president, Worldwide Workers Compensation Manager.

***

GEICO appointed John Pham as its vice president of regional operations in Virginia Beach. He replaces Joe Thomas, who retired after more than 40 years with the insurer.

Pham, who joined GEICO in 1990 as a management intern, will oversee all business functions for Virginia and North Carolina insureds, as well as GEICO’s military, motorcycle and recreational vehicle divisions.

At GEICO, Pham has served in a number of claims leadership roles, most recently serving as regional vice president of claims for GEICO’s New York operations.

***

Nationwide named Chris Graham as head of investment strategies and chief investment officer.

Previously, Graham was a private wealth consultant focused on helping clients choose an appropriate asset allocation, use of alternatives and tax planning.

In his new role, he’ll oversee the research, selection, monitoring and risk management of Nationwide’s retail, variable insurance and retirement products’ investment offerings, including fixed income, equities, asset allocation and alternatives. Graham will also be responsible for Nationwide’s asset allocation products and portfolio construction for multimanager products.

Graham will report to Mike Spangler, president of Nationwide Funds.

Sources: Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, CNA, GEICO, Nationwide